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The Issue
When I began as a teacher, I immediately found an easy villain in standardized tests. After watching students get nervous enough to vomit and teachers turn cynical and mean during testing week, I knew intuively that something was broken. I began pointing out the discrepencies in what we say and how we act: saying we believe in differentiated instruction and then testing with a one-size-fits-all model, claiming we support authentic learning and then offering something artificial, talking about critical thinking and then measuring baseline knowledge.
Over time, I realized that my approach had been myopic. The real villain wasn't a noun. It was a verb. It was the process of taking something that might work in one context and pushing it across all other contexts blindly, transforming unity to uniformity and standards into standardization. I watched as a beautiful concept like the shared public commons became a prison-like description of lock-step adherance to the rules.
Standardized Schools
I began to listen to the language and recognize the semantic environment. They'd use military and industrial language, a throwback to the days when we adopted German militarism alongside the factory model, all in the name of "progress." Education reformers had taken something relational and turned it into a cold, effecient procedure, leaving us with:
- Standardized standards with standardized assessments
- Standardized materials with a bland, standardized textbook format
- Standardized lesson plans, requiring all teachers to use the same format
- Standardized discipline plans with rigid rules and procedures
- Standardized physical climate, with the same Blackboard Configuration and Word Walls (we managed to align the words "hate the micromanaging tyranny" on ours)
- Standardized grade levels and classrooms, so that students of mixed age and ability never have a chance to mentor one another
My Reaction
So, I became jaded and bitter and thought about the best option. What's the one, new model we need? I worked on a committee to redesign our school and for awhile it seemed like the district was open to turning our "failing school" into a twenty-first century classroom. After working on this committee, though, I recognized that we were doing the same thing. We were creating a newer factory. We were developing a one-size-fits-all model and expecting all teachers to fall in line with our thinking.
I recognized that the bigger issue of standardization is hubris. I saw in myself a dangerous tendency to bulldoze others in the name of change, using the same semantic metaphors as those I wanted to revolt against. "Just get on board. If you aren't on the same page, you need to find a new book," I said at one point. Yes, both cliche and innaccurate and subtly dangerous.
The Solution
Ultimately, if we want to see true reform, we have to recognize that it will look different in various contexts. It might be unschooling for some, home schooling for others, community schools for others and progressive public schools for others. It might mean building a new structure or it might mean transforming the factory into something beautiful.
When we move from "this is what works, you need to try this" to "this worked for me," what emerges is a true sense of unity in ideas like authenticity and humanity.


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Browse by Region
> Publications and Resources > Our Publications > Africa Update
Al Mahkamah (MENA Update) Agenda CPI Europe Update The Monitor ICC Update Insight on the ICC Bulletin Africa Update Asia Update LAC Update (Latinoamérica al día)
Africa UpdateAfrica update is a bi-annual newsletter focused on ICC developments in relation to Africa. Africa Update is an information tool that is meant to be especially useful for those interested in ICC-related activities that take place within Africa, but it also aims at serving as a forum for local organizations in Africa to share their insights regarding ICC developments. In this newsletter, you will find editorials, analysis, event announcements and reports and other key information relating to the region. These resources are produced for the benefit of all those involved in this process and we appreciate your help to ensure they are widely distributed.
For more information, please contact our Senior Communications Officer - Francophone Africa, Linda Gueye, at [email protected].

subset: commoncrawl


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Concerning gender issues…
Peter Jones:
In general we are losing our way in defining a common agreement on "general biblical principles" that is, a general hermeneutic that does justice to the whole of inspired Scripture, and, in so doing, preserves "the vitals of religion," especially concerning sexuality. Various "general principles" have and are being used to understand the question of sexuality—evolutionary progress, issues of freedom, a wideness in God's mercy, questions of power and rights, the insignificance of gender. Such approaches have often succeeded in promoting conclusions in the present that in years past were shocking and unthinkable, and we ask: "How does this happen?" A local congregation of the Reformed Church of America (RCA) is seeking membership in the PCA precisely over the RCA's theological drift, moving from issues of women's ordination a generation ago to now the acceptance of homosexual practice. Such hermeneutic principles, that have facilitated such a drift, must be identified and understood, if a similar drift is to be avoided in the PCA.
Thank God for evolution
This is very clever (and not what you might think based on the title):
Kindle deals for Christian readers
- The Dude's Guide to Manhood by Darrin Patrick—$2.99
- Pressure Points byJ.D. Payne—$3.99
- The Shepherd Leader at Home by Timothy Witmer—99¢
- Date your Wife by Justin Buzzard—99¢
- Family Shepherds by Voddie Baucham—$2.99
- Preaching the Parables by Craig Blomberg—$3.03
- Women in the Church by Andreas Kostenberger—$3.82
Amazon is also offering some deals on their Kindle tablets as we get closer to Father's Day.
I am not Antinomian
Elyse Fitzpatrick:
Recently I received what was simply the latest in a string of inquiries/accusations about my views on the place of God's law in the life of the Christian. I am thankful for this on a couple of levels: First of all, I'm thankful that people actually do care about theology. This is a great good. I am also thankful that there are people who, for the sake of the church and out of love for me, have taken time and ginned up the courage to actually ask me about my beliefs, rather than just simply writing me off or accepting an accusation as truth. So…if you're interested in this at all, thank you.
10 words The Simpsons invented
Fun fact.
Iain Murray on T4G
What is happening in the United States? Too often opinion is offered by those dependent on second-hand information. It is further regrettable that, due to the publisher's subtitle, A Journalist's Journey with the New Calvinism, the idea was launched that what is happening can be called 'The New Calvinist movement'. The umbrella label is a misnomer. A 'movement' suggests organization, staff, office, and usually, its own magazine and conference. The phenomenon being described has none of these things. It is far more indefinite and diverse.


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And before you ask, no, we have no clue where Harvey Updyke was involved.
Earlier today, Twitter chatter began to surface that the famed Howard's Rock at Clemson's Memorial Stadium was vandalized at some point of late by an unknown number of perpetrators. In a press release Wednesday evening, the school confirmed that The Rock , named in honor of legendary Tigers head coach and College Football Hall of Famer Frank Howard, "was vandalized sometime June 2nd or June 3rd."
"We take vandalism, especially of such an important part of our history, very seriously," said athletic director Dan Radakovich in a statement. "Police are investigating."
The release from the school added that "[a] small portion of The Rock was broken off of its pedestal after vandals broke the casing that protects the artifact."
Thanks to one of CFT's Twitter followers — thank you, @trentacker for the heads up — we have what's believed to be photographic evidence of the damage done to The Rock:
And, for those unfamiliar with Howard's Rock, here's a video clip of as well as the Wiki description of the hallowed tradition:
In the early 1960s, the rock was given to then head coach Frank Howard by a friend, Samuel Columbus Jones (Clemson Class of 1919). It was presented to Howard by Jones, saying "Here's a rock from Death Valley, California, to Death Valley, South Carolina." Howard didn't think anything else about the rock and it was used as a door stop in his office for several years. In September 1966, while cleaning out his office, Howard noticed the rock and told IPTAY executive director Gene Willimon, "Take this rock and throw it over the fence or out in the ditch…do something with it, but get it out of my office." Willimon had the rock placed on a pedestal at the top of the east endzone hill that the team ran down to enter the field for games. On September 24, 1966, the first time Clemson players ran by the rock, they beat conference rival Virginia, 40-35. Howard, seizing on the motivational potential of "The Rock", told his players, "Give me 110% or keep your filthy hands off of my rock." The team started rubbing the Rock for the first game of 1967, which was a 23-6 waxing of ACC foe Wake Forest.
It is now a tradition for the Clemson Army ROTC to "protect" the Rock for the 24 hours prior to the Clemson-South Carolina game when held in Death Valley. ROTC cadets keep a steady drum cadence around the rock prior to the game, which can be heard across the campus. Part of the tradition comes after unknown parties vandalized the Rock prior to the 1992 Carolina-Clemson game.


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Office for Civil Rights Announces Resolution of Title IX Compliance Review Involving the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation in Evansville, Ind.
Office for Civil Rights Announces Resolution of Title IX Compliance Review Involving the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation in Evansville, Ind.
The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights today announced the resolution of a Title IX compliance review at the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation in Evansville, Ind.
The review examined whether the corporation discriminated against female students under Title IX by denying them an equal opportunity to participate in its high school interscholastic athletics program and by not providing to female athletes locker rooms, practice and competitive facilities that are equivalent to those provided to male athletes. Prior to OCR's making a compliance determination, the corporation requested to enter into a voluntary resolution agreement with OCR.
"Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation worked cooperatively and proactively with OCR to address inequities that disadvantage the corporation's female athletes," said Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Seth Galanter. "The corporation has agreed to provide equality in its athletic opportunities and in the locker rooms, practice and competitive facilities at each of its high schools. This case reminds us how critical Title IX remains in ensuring equal opportunity in athletics for girls and women."
OCR's investigation revealed a disparity of more than 13 percentage points between the enrollment of female high school students and their participation in the corporation's athletics programs. Had the corporation provided equal participation, girls would have been offered approximately 590 additional athletic participation opportunities.
Under the terms of the agreement, the corporation will assess whether there are unmet athletics interests and abilities among female students and, if so, it will take steps by 2013-14 to increase opportunities for female, including new sports teams for girls, additional levels for existing teams or increased squad size for existing teams.
The corporation will also develop, implement and publicize a procedure for interested parties to use to request the addition of new sports or levels of sports at each high school. The agreement makes clear that OCR does not require or encourage the elimination of any team and that it is seeking action from the corporation that does not involve the elimination of athletic opportunities for either sex.
The agreement also requires the corporation to assess the locker rooms, practice and competitive facilities at each high school by comparing for males and females, the quality, availability, exclusivity, maintenance and preparation of practice and competitive facilities, and the availability and quality of locker rooms.
During the course of OCR's investigation, the corporation made significant renovations to its facilities, including the construction of a new high school. The corporation has agreed to upgrade any athletic facilities that are not comparable by the end of the current school year.
OCR will closely monitor the corporation's implementation of the agreement. A copy of the resolution letter is available at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/investigations/05115002-a.pdf and a copy of the resolution agreement is available at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/investigations/05115002-b.pdf.
OCR's mission is to ensure equal access to education and promote educational excellence throughout the nation through the vigorous enforcement of civil rights. OCR is responsible for enforcing federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination by educational institutions on the basis of disability, race, color, national origin, sex, and age, as well as the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act of 2001.
For more information about the Office for Civil Rights, see http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html. For details on how OCR handles civil rights cases, visit http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintprocess.html.


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Green Peppercorn Chicken English Muffins
Rich flavors make breakfast all the more enjoyable.
4 Thomas'® 100% Whole Wheat English Muffins, split and toasted
2 tablespoons corn oil
1 medium sweet red pepper, cut in thin strips
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in 1/2-inch cubes
1 cup milk
1 package (1 oz) pepper sauce mix with green peppercorns
In large skillet heat corn oil over medium-high heat. Add red pepper and green onions; sauté 2 minutes. Add chicken, sauté 3 minutes or until chicken turns white. Stir in milk and sauce mix until well blended. Stirring constantly, bring to boil over medium-high heat and boil 1 minute. Spoon over muffin halves.


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|Jun 3rd - Jun 28th
|Jul 1st - Jul 15th
|Under 14
Trip Focus:
Non-intrusive wildlife observation and fun kayaking for all
Start Location:
Telegraph Cove, Northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Canada.
Start and End Time:
Starts at 0830 on Day 1 and returns at approx. 1530 on Day 4.
Start Dates:
Every Tuesday & Friday from early June to mid July.
Camping accommodation at two or more of our fully equipped, waterfront wilderness Base Camps. All camp equipment provided.
Meals Included:
Lunch & Dinner on Day 1; Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on Day 2 & 3; Breakfast & Lunch on Day 4.
Experience Required:
None. We use stable tandem Sea Kayaks and provide all required kayaking equipment.
This trip is restricted to those over 14 years.
The North Island Kayak Four Day Humpbacks & the Islands Sea Kayaking Adventure focuses on the North East of Vancouver Island near Telegraph Cove. We paddle Johnstone Strait, Blackfish Sound, into the Broughton Archipelago and the narrow tidal passages around Hanson Island in search of marine wildlife in its natural environment. A unique kayak tour led by our experienced, qualified guides using top quality equipment, optimized for wildlife viewing and a safe, fun experience.
Opportunities abound to see Humpback Whales, sea lions, porpoises, dolphins, bald eagles, black bears, numerous sea birds and the spectacular rugged scenery of northern Vancouver Island. On occasion if we are lucky, we will even see some of the elusive and fast moving transient, or Biggs mammal eating Killer
We maximize the time spent in these areas by utilizing up to three of the six wilderness base camps that we erect every spring. These camps are scattered throughout northern Johnstone Strait and Blackfish Sound in the South-East corner of Queen Charlotte Strait, with specific locations selected to provide easy access to varying localized habitats. Each trip will utilize different camps based on environmental factors like tides, currents and forecast weather with a mind to optimize wildlife observation opportunities and provide an enjoyable, safe and accessible kayaking experience. The base camps are all similarly equipped with comfortable facilities but each provides a different view and exploration opportunities. North Island Kayak is unique in this area in being able to provide a 4 day nomadic tour, showcasing all this spectacular wilderness area has to offer while being assured of a comfortable base camp each night. Having our private camps already set gives us the ability to spend longer on the water as we can be sure that there will be comfortable places for us when we reach our destinations.
Four Day Humpbacks & the Islands Sea Kayaking Adventure – Day 1
You need to be at our store adjacent to the kayak launch ramp in Telegraph Cove at 8-30am on your start date. Your kayaks will already be on the launch ramp with the group gear loaded, waiting for you. We will spend some time assisting you to pack your personal things and clothing into the dry bags we supply and loading it into the kayaks. Once your bags are stowed you will receive some on-shore paddling instruction and we will be ready to cast off. You will paddle out of the mouth of the tiny Telegraph Cove harbor, directly into Johnstone Strait and the realm of the killer whales.
Never kayaked before? Within the first 10 minutes you will have grasped the basics.
We will ensure you are comfortable as we paddle along the shoreline of Vancouver Island in the direction of our first remote beach base camp. As you glide along in your sleek, non-intrusive Kayak, we stop and watch for any wildlife and enjoy the majestic scenery of Northern Vancouver Island. Our goal is to pass the areas of tidal currents, where the Humpback Whales feed while the current flow is slower and use the tide to help us along. The timing of any wildlife encounters cannot be predicted but we can be sure that we have four days of great opportunity in front of us.
We will stop to stretch our legs and enjoy a picnic lunch on a remote beach and will cross Johnstone Strait towards Hanson Island; and one of our remote wilderness base camps. During the day watch for Bald Eagles and their nests; See the inquisitive Dalls Porpoises and if we are lucky spot a Black Bear turning rocks, looking for breakfast. Maybe we will see Humpback Whales right outside the mouth of Telegraph Cove or maybe we will not see any today. Rest assured, your experienced guide is monitoring the local chatter on their marine radio to ensure we do not miss a single opportunity.
You will likely reach camp in the mid to late afternoon. This ensures we miss getting caught in the afternoon winds that frequently come out of the North and gives you a chance to get settled in and explore your new home. Just because we are on shore does not mean that spectacular wildlife encounters are over for the day. Of the many creatures that abound in the vicinity, will frequently hunt along the kelp forest just in front of camp. Keep your eyes and ears open.
The days paddling and the fresh air will likely have caused you an appetite, which will be satisfied by our healthy and filling dinner. After dinner, enjoy some games, take a stroll and explore the beach or hang around the campfire and get to know the other members of your group. If weather permits, an evening paddle may be on the cards. If not there is always tomorrow! At bedtime, snuggle into your sleeping bag and enjoy the feeling of sleeping under the stars that only a camping experience can provide.
Four Day Humpbacks & the Islands Sea Kayaking Adventure – Day 2
Wake up to the aroma of coffee and the great outdoors. After a hearty breakfast it's into the kayaks to explore. Depending on the tides and weather we will head east or west in search of wildlife and adventure. Our Queen Charlotte Strait base camps give us ability to head into the narrow passages that border Hanson Island. These passages get some high tidal current flow four times a day so we have to choose our opportunities carefully but the rewards can be spectacular. The currents cause high concentrations of food in a small area. Lots of food means lots of predators and lots of photo opportunities. Humpback Whales, Steller Sea Lions and occasionally Transient, mammal eating Orcas spend time in these passages. Watch for large gatherings of sea birds, they are always hungry and tend to congregate over areas of high food concentration and form a great indicator of what may be below the surface. We will stop for a picnic lunch on a remote beach and head to camp for late afternoon.
We always carry at least one research grade hydrophone on our sea kayaking tours. When we find ourselves in the vicinity of a pod of dolphins, your guide will deploy the hydrophone so we may hear them communicating. We use an external amplifier and speaker so all may hear. If you have a video mode on your camera, this can allow you to capture the sounds as well as the sight of these spectacular animals. The obvious intelligence behind this communication has brought tears to many an eye.
Enjoy your second evening at a beach camp home, explore the beach we are camping at and get ready for another great dinner. Reminisce about all the day's activities and fun. Thumb through our library to identify any creatures you may have seen on your excursion and learn more about them. Watch the sunset and if you are lucky a moonrise while your cozy tent awaits. The elevated position of the 'Orca Lounge' at our Hanson Hide-Away or the beach benches at Humpback Island base camp and the long summer evenings give spectacular land based viewing opportunities. Sound travels so far over a still, flat, evening ocean. Listen for the blows of sea lions or the trumpeting of the humpbacks to see them swimming in the moonlight. The lack of light pollution this far away from civilization also allows for spectacular star-gazing on dark, moonless nights.
Four Day Humpbacks & the Islands Sea Kayaking Adventure – Day 3
You will wake up once again to a camp breakfast cooking and the smell of coffee on the breeze. Choosing North Island Kayak for your vacation gives the unique opportunity to have base camp style camping but to camp on more than one beach and explore areas inaccessible to others. Today is for exploring the islands of the lower Broughton Archipelago, meandering through tiny passages where the rain forest grows right down to the waters edge with branches cloaked in moss and morning dew. Our route will take us by an ancient rock painting on a cliff adjacent to a traditional burial site. This is a very culturally sensitive site for the Mamalelaqala Band and other Kwakwaka'wakw, so we only enjoy this spot from our kayaks. No one is allowed to actually enter the site. We will choose a remote island beach for lunch before moving heading onwards.
After lunch you will take to our kayaks and will head off towards our campsite for the night. From witnessing the jaw-dropping beauty of this part of the world, you may start to understand why people choose to live out here in the wilderness. Throughout the day there will be opportunities to observe a multitude of creatures and paddle between tiny islands with a new and even more breathtaking view around each corner. Your guide will once more surprise you with their culinary skills to ensure you do not go to bed hungry. On a clear night, be sure to sit up late as the lack of light pollution this far away from civilization allows for spectacular star-gazing on dark, moonless nights.
Four Day Humpbacks & the Islands Sea Kayaking Adventure – Day 4
Coffee and breakfast will again greet you, on this our last day exploring by kayak. Once the kayaks are packed you paddle, again among the marine mammals of the Pacific Northwest while we slowly start the homeward journey. The route home will vary depending on our afternoon weather forecast but our focus will remain on wildlife viewing and photo opportunities. Your guide will always have the hydrophone at the ready so no opportunity to listen in on whale talk will be missed
Lunch will be had on yet another remote beach before the last leg towards Telegraph Cove. On arrival and after the group photo has been taken, you can just grab your belongings and enjoy the rest of your vacation. We do the entire cleanup! Many guests stay a while, reliving the adventure with new friends and exchanging contact information so pictures can be shared. Be sure to take time to visit the Whale Museum before leaving this pristine wilderness haven.
This is a sample itinerary. In order to provide the most exposure to wildlife and scenery we plan to camp at between two and three of our six base camps in the area, however on some occasions we may need to make changes due to weather or tidal considerations; Our goal will always remain to provide you the best possible wildlife and kayaking experience.
Wildlife Everywhere
During May, as the days get longer the cold, nutrient rich waters around north Vancouver Island teem with plankton, krill and small fish. This is the favorite food of the Humpback Whales who return from their southern winter breeding grounds to gorge after an fast of almost six months. Their predicatble feeding patterns makes finding them easy and watching them a pleasure. The numbers of these gentle giants visiting the area has been increasing dramatically in recent years as their overall population rebounds now we no longer hunt them
The Stellar Sea Lion, the largest of the sea lions, calls the area home year round as does the Harbor Seal, Bald Eagle (and many other sea birds), Pacific White-sided Dolphin, Dall's Porpoise, Black Bear, mink and salmon while the cold, nutrient rich waters create an incredible inter and sub-tidal invertebrate ecosystem to explore.
The Transient, mammal eating Killer Whales, recently renamed Biggs Killer Whales are present in the area year round but seeing them is not a predicatble event. When we do see them, they are typically moving fast, so sightings are brief and occur only once or twice every couple of weeks. If they happen to be hunting on the occasions when we see them, it can a spectacular and memorable event.
A few times a year we will see Minke whales and on rare occasions Fin whales or Cougars.
See our tour Wildlife Tab for further details.
Base Camping with a difference
Choosing North Island Kayak gives you the unique opportunity, on a tour of this length, to stay at multiple camps in different locations, scattered throughout the area. This allows us to explore further and see more, because we do not have to come back to the same camp each evening. Your kayaking tour with us takes you on a journey through the wilderness and the wildlife that inhabits it, while enjoying the increased comfort that our pre-erected base camps can provide.
We have six different Base Camps located in Johnstone Strait and Queen Charlotte Strait; all within the summer range of the Northern Resident Orcas. These camps have been specially selected by us to provide access to the diverse micro-environments to be found in the region. Each camp is configured with facilities to a similar comfort level but each provides a different view, a different beach to explore and new opportunity.
Camp to Camp kayaking with Base Camp facilities = Unmatched value for money and the best possible wildlife opportunities!
The Best Start Location – Telegraph Cove, British Columbia
Telegraph Cove is the departure and return point of choice for north island sea kayaking tours and North Island Kayak is based in Telegraph Cove – No time wasted on a bus transfer – Be first on the water. Relax and unwind in the peaceful haven.
Visit the Whale Interpretive Center at the end of the 'old time' Telegraph Cove boardwalk. You will frequently see Bald Eagles, Mink, River Otters, Black Bears or even whales before we leave the dock!
A great itinerary – 4 Full Days kayaking this North Island wilderness!
First on the water and into Johnstone Strait from delightful Telegraph Cove. Discover the wildlife and scenery of Johnstone Strait & Queen Charlotte Strait while paddling between camps;
Paddle Blackney Passage, Blackfish Sound and the lower Broughton Archipelago.
Investigate the shallows in search of colorful, inter-tidal creatures.
Enjoy free time at camp – Stay with the group or explore the beach; Relax on the cliff watching for wildlife.
Approximately 5-6 hours a day on the water.
Wonderful food – You will not go hungry
Picnic lunches, hearty breakfasts and spectacular dinners plus delicious deserts, snacks, coffee, tea, various juices and water. Our menus have been specially developed to provide great taste and variety while being safe to carry and nutritious.Don't worry, we bring some chips and other snacks too.
Ingredients are sourced first from our local communities.
Quality Equipment
We provide all of the camping and kayaking equipment. Come with the clothing and personal items noted in 'What to Bring' and we do the rest.
We even provide you with quality dry bags to keep your clothes and gear dry.
What do I need to Bring on my multi-day kayaking adventure?
Kayaking is an outdoor activity and the part of the world you will be visiting is identified as being within a Temperate Rainforest. Our summer daytime highs are rarely much over room temperature and our nighttime lows can be described as cool. It also rains on occasion, sometimes for extended periods.
If you are familiar with spending time outdoors then you are likely already equipped with most of the clothing and accessories that you will need to bring with you. Likewise, you are aware that cotton is not your friend when there is any chance of getting wet.
We recommend that you bring two sets of clothing for your kayaking tour. One set that you will primarily wear while paddling. This should consist of layer-able clothes that will cope well and remain comfortable should they get damp or even wet. The second set of clothing is for around camp and should be selected to keep you warm and cozy during the evening. Again layers provide maximum flexibility. Avoid jeans and cotton shirts or sweaters, as once they get damp they can be very tough to dry and provide you with minimal residual warmth. If you can stick with synthetic quick dry materials or wool for your clothing, you will likely have a much better experience in our wilderness.
What you need while on the water
- For your head; A Hat, cap or tuque – something with a peak or brim is ideal in the rain.
- For your upper body; A base layer, a long sleeve mid-layer and a light Fleece or other warm non-cotton sweater.
- For your lower body; Non cotton underwear & shorts or long pants – long synthetic or wool underwear under shorts can be a great combination.
- For your feet; Wool or synthetic socks – bring a few pairs, your feet will get wet. Water shoes or sandals. Rubber boots can also be good unless you have big feet.
- Consider a pair of quality, light-weight rain pants. Frequently you will sit on something wet.
- Gloves – Look for paddling or cycling gloves to keep hands dry & blister free.
What you need while at camp
- Your normal outdoor camping wear will typically work fine but remember it is always cooler near the water. Synthetics and wools are again better than cotton.
- We provide you a jacket for paddling but bring rainwear or other outdoor jacket to wear at camp.
- A base layer, a long sleeved mid-layer and a warm sweater, sweatshirt/hoody or outer layer fleece. Warm pants. Bring one layer more than you think you need!
- Hiking shoe or running shoe & warm wool socks. Do not bring thongs or flip-flops.
- Warm nightwear & a Pillow Case (to stuff with clothes, etc. for your pillow)
- When we have campfires, they frequently emit sparks; consider bringing an old top layer.
Comfort and convenience items
- A water bottle.
- Camera and binoculars.
- Small hand towel and a face cloth.
- Sunscreen, lip balm & bug repellant.
- Sunglasses and a retainer
- Head Light (for reading in your tent and to light your way to the washroom)
- Book/magazine, writing materials or other personal entertainment.
- Personal toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrush, hairbrush, biodegradable soap, feminine hygiene products, etc.) – A packet of Wet Wipes works great to help personal hygiene.
- If bringing any electrical/ electronics, bring spare batteries or a portable recharging unit. There are no power outlets.
- If you must bring your phone, consider investing in a waterproof case for it.
- If you have allergies for which you carry an EPI Pen – Bring it!
- An extra set of any essential medication and correctional lenses.
- Alcohol and/or Pop. We do not supply this and there are no stores after we leave Telegraph Cove. The general store in Telegraph Cove sells beer, wine, spirits & pop.
Please try to avoid bringing too much as space is limited.
Sleeping bag
If you do not have your own sleeping bag or prefer not to bring it, we have one pre-packed for you to use at no charge. Our bags are cleaned after every use and are rated to 0°C (32°F) or lower.
If you choose to bring your own sleeping bag, please make sure it has no cotton in the lining and that it has a compression style stuff sack. Place a garbage bag inside the compression sack and stuff your sleeping bag inside the garbage bag, inside the compression bag. Squeeze out the air, twist the neck of the garbage bag to keep out any moisture and close the compression stuff sack.
Did we mention to avoid cotton?
Honestly and joking aside, we cannot overstate this. Once cotton gets wet it stays that way and provides minimal residual warmth. Synthetic materials and better yet wool, are your best bet.
Do not forget to check the label on your underwear, virtually everything you choose to sit on will be damp. Wet cotton next to your skin will become very unpleasant very quickly; ask any toddler.
How to Pack for my Multi-Day Kayak Tour
We provide you two dry bags; one 10 and one 20 litre bag per person. When you arrive in Telegraph Cove before your trip, please feel free to come pick them up so you can pack in the comfort of your room.
The 10 litre dry bag will be your day bag, in other words the bag you will have access to on the water. We suggest you put the following items in your day bag:
- Small camera and/or binoculars - If bringing a large or expensive camera, see below.
- Extra sweater
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen & lip balm
The 20 litre dry bag will be your overnight bag, put things in here that you will want once you get to camp and won't need access to on the water.
- All camp clothes and spare clean, dry paddling clothes
- Personal toiletries.
- Towel, book/magazine
- Head light, spare batteries, car keys, money & travel documents, etc. Place these items in zip-lock bags for extra protection.
- Do not put shoes, rain jackets, drinks, etc. in the dry bag.
Do not fill the dry bags more then 3/4's full in order to properly close them, squeeze all the air out, roll the top over itself 3 times and do up the buckles. Your bags will now keep your belongings dry!
How to pack my Camera
Salt water & DSLR can spell trouble if not looked after. What to carry it in becomes a compromise between ease of access and security. The most secure way to carry it is in a hard shell waterproof case; an otterbox for instance, however this can be difficult to stow and awkward to open while on the water. Next best would be a good quality dry bag. Take your camera with the lens you expect to use to a good outdoor store and find a dry bag that fits your camera well, but leaves enough room for you to get your hands in and around it. There also needs to be enough room to have a small super absorbent cloth so you can ensure your hands are dry when inserting and removing the camera. Both these options would have the camera and case strapped to the deck of the kayak under bungee lines. Consider adding a carabiner or similar locking mechanism to ensure the container remains secure.
When you want to take a photo, you remove the camera from its protection, take the photo, replace the camera and reseal it. Never put it down on the spray skirt or kayak deck. We usually recommend against changing lenses while on the water.
It is also worth checking your home or travel insurance policy. Most camera equipment can be covered for loss or damage by this policy. You may need to register serial numbers, etc. with the insurance company.
There are Orcas in the area around Telegraph Cove all year, but the chances of seeing them are not equal.
The BEST time to see Orcas from a kayak is between the last week of July and the first week of September with most sightings occurring during August. This is when the almost 300 Northern Resident Killer Whales who come every summer to gorge on salmon are most prevalent and active. These whales start to arrive each summer between July 10 & 15 but the smaller numbers at the start of their migration do not always provide predictable opportunities for us to experience them from a kayak. Towards the middle of September their numbers also start to decline as they need to move further each day to find food.
From mid May through the middle of July it is rare to see Orcas as those that inhabit the area at this time tend to be the Transient, or Biggs mammal eating Killer Whales. These whales hunt seals, porpoises and other mammals, rather than salmon. The nature of the prey defines the nature of the predator and mammals are much smarter than fish. To be successful hunters, the Biggs Killer Whales need to be fast and stealthy, so on those occasions when we do see them, it is typically a short experience. They will generally be in the area only a couple of times in any two week period.
For more information, take a look at our 'Wildlife Tab' on each tour description.
We recommend that you bring two sets of clothing for your kayaking tour. One set that you will primarily wear while in the kayaks. This should consist of layer-able clothes that will cope well and remain comfortable should they get damp or even wet. The second set of clothing is for around camp and should be selected to keep you warm and cozy during the evening. Again layers provide maximum flexibility. Avoid jeans and cotton shirts or sweaters,as once they get damp they can be very tough to dry and provide you with minimal residual warmth. If you can stick with synthetic quick dry materials or wool for your clothing, you will likely have a much better experience in our wilderness.
Please take a look at the "What to Bring" tab on each tour description page.
The amount of time on the water will vary but will typically be in the region of 5-6 hours per day.
While tipping is not mandatory it is very much appreciated. Your guide works very hard to make sure you get everything you hope for from your trip. If you think you were well looked after a suggested guide tip is 10% of your trip cost.
There is no ATM in Telegraph Cove however, you may tip them via your credit or debit card on return to our store.
Go ahead - make their day.
Ocean touring sea kayaks are surprisingly stable and comfortable, especially the tandem kayaks we use for our less experienced guests. A pre-launch training session will give you some of the basic skills that will help keep you safe while your guides are well versed in paddling, the area and general safety. They are right there with you the whole time to ensure your safety and enjoyment.
Our average group size is 5 people, however we conduct our tours with as few as 2 and as many as 12.
Our customers come from all over the world. They may be younger or older than you but you can be sure they are just as excited to be here as you are. We have found that those traveling without children tend to prefer to kayak with adult only groups. In order to try and ensure all of our guests get the maximum enjoyment from our tours we run separate tours for families.
It will be a fully enclosed Sea Kayak from one of a variety of manufacturers including Seaward Kayaks, Boreal Designs, Necky Kayaks and Current Designs.To ensure we can provide all guests with a great experience, we predominantly use tandem kayaks on our tours. Our kayaking tours focus on wildlife observation and having fun. As such, we often need to cross open water and paddle against wind or ocean currents to be in an optimal viewing spot. For those who are not experienced ocean kayakers, paddling single kayaks when others are in faster, tandem kayaks can become very tiring, very quickly and have a negative impact on the safety and enjoyment of others in the group. On occasion, if tour capacity allows or there are an odd total number of participants, we may add some single kayaks to the trip, which will be shared among guests interested in paddling them. Unfortunately as people have wildly differing opinions of their skill levels, stamina and endurance, we do not guarantee exclusive use of single kayaks to any of our guests.
We prefer to use our kayaks as we are familiar with their capacity and appropriateness for a given trip. We have also found that those who bring their own typically do not wish others to paddle them. Should you really wish to bring your own, we do require it be an appropriate kayak for the type of trip you are undertaking and we will need to utilize space within it for the group gear. Contact us, identifying kayak make and model and we will see what we can do. We do reserve the right to inspect the kayak prior to departure and have you paddle one of our kayaks if necessary.
We choose guides based on many variables. Naturally they must be appropriately qualified and able to kayak, provide instruction and keep you safe on the water, but we demand much more than this. We employ guides from Canada; Many of them have grown up around our coast or have migrated to BC as they have grown up. We employ guides who can interpret our environment; They need to be able to identify our local fauna and flora and communicate their knowledge to you. We look for language skills; Many of our guides are fluent in both English and French, while others bring Spanish or German to the mix.
North Island Kayak has been providing sea kayak tours on northern Vancouver Island since 1991. The current owners took over in 2006.
People of all ages and fitness levels enjoy kayaking as it can be a very low impact activity. You need only be in average physical condition – For our multi-day sea kayak tours, if you can manage an easy day hike, you will likely be able to participate comfortably. Should you have upper body conditions affecting arms, wrists or hands, please contact us.
It can happen – but it is not likely on a guided sea kayaking tour. Part of your pre-launch training session is instruction and demonstration of what to do in the event of capsize. Should it happen, your qualified guides have had extensive training in rescue and have the skills to deal with any situation that may arise. Their focus is on prevention rather than cure.
There have been no incidents involving wild whales and humans or kayaks. On occasion they have come very close and even under our kayaks but we have never had one actually touch us.
You multi-day tour will be returning to Telegraph Cove typically between 3 and 4 pm, however it can occasionally be earlier or later due to weather or logistical reasons. Should you have tight connections to be made on the day of return, please let us know at booking or prior to departure so we can try to meet your expectations. After your trip, why not visit the Whale Museum or relax on the deck of the Old Saltery and watch the comings & goings of Historic Telegraph Cove.
We welcome children on the tours, however we try not to mix adult groups and family groups on the same trip. We can accommodate your children in a number of ways; triple kayaks or paired up in a double with a strong paddler. It is a safe and wonderful experience for kids and as family! We offer discounted rates for children on some tours. For multi-day kayak adventures we have found it is typically best to schedule small family groups, please contact us for further information.
One of the most frequent questions we are asked is - Will I see Orcas? The table below details the animals we see and a color coded description of when they are most regularly seen on our sea kayaking tours.
|Expect multiple sightings during your 4 day tour.
|Expect to see the animal on maybe 2 of your 4 days.
|If we are lucky we will see it on one day
|50/50 - Do not count on it
|This is a once a year occurance
|Early July
|Mid July
|End of July to Mid August
|Mid Aug to Mid Sept
|Mid Sept to End Sept
Color Code
The calendar below shows the departures dates for our Four Day Orcas and the Humpbacks Sea Kayaking Adventure. Please select the date you are interested in and click the "Book Now" button. You will not be requested to provide a credit card at this time as, to avoid disappointment, we need to double check these spaces are still available. You will be taken through some forms that will gather required information. Please complete them as fully as possible. If you are unsure about any questions, please provide you best guess as yours is most likely better than ours!
On completion of these forms, your Booking Request will be forwarded to us, we will double check spaces and send you an email with a link to our Secure Credit Card gateway where you can pay the required Deposit. If we are sold out of the tour you specify, we will suggest any alternatives we may have. If you need immediate confirmation of space, please call us on (250) 928-3114 or 1-877-949-7707.
You should wait until you have received confirmation and payment instruction from us before you commit to related travel expenses.
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Ultra wealthy investors in the Tiger 21 network continue to favor public equities, with private equity trending in their portfolios, according to the group's Member Favorites Survey.
The annual survey looks at the most valued investments and managers of Tiger 21's 220 members, who collectively manage more than $20 billion in investable assets.
Forty-one percent of respondents chose equity-themed investments as their favorite this year, a two percentage point increase from 2012 and 10 points above the 2011 level.
Individual stock purchases were the most common public equity investment at 50%, followed by ETFs/index funds at 21% and equity-themed hedge funds and long-only mutual funds tied at 14% each.
The most popular public equity sectors among respondents were financials (22%), technology (20%), ETFs (19%) and consumer (12%).
(Check out Top 10 Most Liked U.S. Companies: 2013 on ThinkAdvisor)
Seventeen percent of members chose private equity as a favorite investment strategy this year, continuing a multiyear trend of increasing focus on the sector.
"Members are spending more time backing startups, sitting on boards and getting involved with private companies because that is where they created their own wealth and they know it can be an engine of growth in their portfolio," Tiger 21's founder and chairman Michael Sonnenfeldt said in a statement.
Hedge funds fell to 17%, a two percentage point drop from last year's survey when it was alone in the number two spot, and five points below its ranking in the 2011 survey.
Real estate investments remained the number four member favorite at 15%, up from 11% this category received in the 2012 survey. Fixed income received 7% of responses, remaining in the fifth spot in category rankings.
Check out the members' 5 favorite stocks followed by their 5 favorite fund managers:
2012 Rank: (not ranked)
4. Qualcomm
2012 Rank: 20th
The San Diego-based company is the biggest maker of chips for mobile phones.
3. iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund
2012 Rank: (not ranked)
2. Apple
2012 Rank: 1st
1. Berkshire Hathaway
2012 Rank: 2nd
In a surprisingly downbeat comment about Apple, Tiger 21's founder and chairman Michael Sonnenfeldt told Bloomberg that "the bloom" was off of the tech behemoth.
"For people who held Berkshire Hathaway, it's held its appeal," Sonnenfeldt said, "but for Apple, a lot of people who were on that ride have realized that perhaps the best days are behind it."
On the next page, find out Tiger 21 members' five favorite fund managers:
5 Favorite Managers
Tiger 21 respondents' five favorite managers across all types of investments were in line with their top favorite investments.
Two firms focused on publicly traded MLPs that concentrate on mid-stream energy assets: 1) Chickasaw Capital Management; 2) Neuberger Berman's The Rachlin Group; two others were hedge funds: 3) Millennium Management, a multistrategy manager; 4) Elliot Management, whose focus is distressed; and 5) Golub Capital, a private equity shop that focuses on mezzanine loans to midmarket lenders.
Check out these related stories on ThinkAdvisor:


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Product Details
David Yurman's Forged Carbon Collection features an innovative material used in sports cars, golf clubs and speedboats. Carbon nanotubes and resin are compressed under heat and pressure, creating a state-of-the-art composite that's 3.5 times stronger than steel—but 65% lighter.
- Sterling silver
- Black Rubber
- Forged carbon ID plate, 11 x 34mm
- Forged carbon clasp with black beveled rubber
Style Number: B15877MSS
Fit & Care
Metal: Use the provided polishing cloth to gently wipe this item clean, then remove any remaining tarnish with mild diluted soap. Rinse with warm water and dry the design thoroughly before storing in the provided jewelry pouch. Please note: styles featuring meteorite should not be exposed to water.


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SANTA CLARA, Calif. – In a matchup of sides desperate to get on track this season, the San Jose Earthquakes earned their first win of the season Saturday at Buck Shaw Stadium in a 1-0 decision over Chivas USA thanks to a second-half goal by substitute Yannick Djalo.
San Jose (1-2-3) were off to their worst start in franchise history through five games. After winning their season opener, Chivas (1-4-3) USA are now winless in their last seven matches.
It was also the first goal for Djalo, who came on at the start of the second half to replace Atiba Harris. The Portuguese winger ran onto a lofted cross and hit it first time to the far post for the 66th-minute goal. The long corss by Shea Salinas was his fourth assist of the season, tying him for the league lead.
The first half was a bit ragged, with four yellow cards handed out in the opening 30 minutes. Chivas USA enjoyed most of the possession but struggled to create scoring opportunities.
San Jose goalkeeper Jon Busch easily blocked Carlos Alvarez's shot from a tight angle, and Erick Torres later missed wide right from close range.
The closest San Jose came to looking dangerous early on was off a set piece, when Salinas curled a pass into the penalty area, forcing Chivas 'keeper Dan Kennedy to come off his line to knock it away from an onrushing Chris Wondolowski.
In the second period, after Djalo scored for San Jose, Chivas USA, looked for some offensive spark of their own, bringing on Adolfo "Bofo" Bautista for Mauro Rosales, but they were unable to find an equalizer.
The Goats' struggle was made even more difficult in the 77th minute when Kennedy was shown red for an intentional handball outside of the box as he attempted to stop an Alan Gordona> breakaway.
Ten-men Chivas USA looked for a late spark with Luke Moore for Alvarez. San Jose countered by switching Cordell Cato for Salinas. Neither substitution made a crucial difference as the Earthquakes closed out the game in front of a grateful sold out crowd.
Chivas USA return to action Saturday at StubHub Center to host Houston, while San Jose travel to Vancouver to face the Whitecaps the same day.


text: This garden is tiny – no more than a couple of metres square – but it's managed to squeeze in a silver birch, some evergreen shrubs (lavender and rosemary) and a wisteria. The colour palette is greens, whites, purple and greys (the white bark is going to look great in winter) and it's low maintenance and drought tolerant too. Sometimes the simplest ideas really are the best.


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Aural skills, ear training, and musicianship are three related terms of musical pedagogy.
The term 'aural skills' refers to the cognitive skills required to know musical structure without having to see them notated. Musicians with cultivated aural skills are able to write down music that they hear, rendering melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic elements in musical notation. Aural skills also allow musicians to look at notated music and hear it in their head without having to hear it through their ears.
To develop aural skills, musicians embark on aural training, also called ear-training. Ear-training programs often begin by isolating each musical element (pitch, meter, rhythmic patterns, harmony) and presenting its most rudimentary form. After mastering rudimentary isolated elements, ear training students are then challenged to combining these elements: forming simple melodies at first, eventually adding in harmony, and ultimately engaging all elements of fully rendered musical examples.
Musicianship is a term used to encompass ear training, aural skill, and some performance skills for rendering elements being studied, such as playing a keyboard to rendering harmonic material or percussion instruments to render rhythm material.
Ear training programs differ in several ways. Perhaps most critical to the success of aural skills development is the pacing and structure of progressing through the curriculum: when and how to combine musical elements. SonicFit offers guided curriculum, presenting next steps after various skills are mastered. While SonicFit has much to offer in guiding your study, there is no substitute to having a teacher who can offer individual guidance and coaching.
Another major way that ear training programs differ is in their pedagogical foundation- what they consider to be the rudimentary elements and pedagogical tools to approach each element. For example, at SonicFit, we consider the foundation of pitch to be scale degree recognition, not interval recognition. We use 'movable DO' solfege as the primary pedagogical tool for ear training scale degree recognition. Eventually, we do study interval recognition, but this study is deliberately presented much later and built on the study of scale degree recognition, rather than the other way around. To read about the full pedagogy at SonicFit, please see our Pedagogical Approach and Choral Curriculum pages.
Finally, ear training programs will differ greatly depending upon the musical background of the student. Someone new to formal music education needs a very different approach than someone who already knows how to read music notation on an instrument and understands fundamentals of music theory such as key signatures, time signatures, scales, triads etc.
SonicFit can serve both novice and experience musicians. For the novice, the lessons interweave material, quizzes, and exercises in a guided curriculum. Experienced musicians should head right to the exercises where you can change the settings of each exercise to match your needs and abilities. Unfortunately, SonicFit does not yet have guided curriculum for the experienced musician to work on aural skills, but this is definitely a goal for summer 2016.


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DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. – A frightened caller tells Broward Sheriff's Office dispatch of a frightening discovery in a community pool.
Two girls, twin toddlers, were found floating in a community pool Tuesday; they later died.
The female caller tells the dispatcher that the girls "drowned, they're just dead."
(Listen to the 911 call: Twins Drown)
Broward Sheriff's Office deputies were called to the pool at the Tivoli Park apartment complex in Deerfield Beach about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday after the 2-year-old toddlers were found.
A couple visiting from out of town were on their way to the Jacuzzi when they noticed the children in the pool and pulled them out. It was unclear how long they were in the water.
One toddler was airlifted to Broward Health Medical Center. The other was taken by ambulance.
The toddlers, identified as Harmani and Harmony West, were pronounced dead at the hospital.
Detectives are still trying to determine how the girls got out of their apartment and why their parents didn't realize they were gone.
Investigators said the girls wandered out of their second-floor apartment adjacent to the pool, crossed a courtyard and entered the unlocked gate to the pool.
Relatives and friends gathered at the complex told Local 10's Roger Lohse that the parents are devastated by the deaths and want to know why the pool wasn't secured.
When Local 10 tried to contact the leasing office to explain why the gate to the community pool wasn't locked, no one was available.
"It's been open for as long as I can remember," resident Elizabeth Rockafellow told Local 10.
Rockafellow said she feels sick just thinking about what happened.
"I don't have children, so it's hard for me to relate to that kind of loss, but anybody can relate when they see two little, beautiful 2-and-a-half-year-old girls, and they're gone."
The Department of Children and Families is also investigating.


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Tagged: Ardi
Vicenteticus Padillicarpeus
While you and I spend our time wondering when the Phillies bullpen will
next self destruct or why there aren't as many green M&Ms as there
are brown, or how long it will take Glenn Beck to realize we're laughing at him, not with him, there are some people in the world (scientists and such as) who pass the time by making ground breaking discoveries, actually furthering the intellect of the human mind.
Move over Lucy. Make way for Ardi.
That's right. Australopithecus afarensis,
an extinct hominid (most commonly known as Lucy), who was once thought
to be our oldest common ancestor, now must take a backseat to the most
recently proclaimed elder of bipedalism: Ardipithecus (or Ardi for short).
Like it or not, this is a big deal because Ardi is a million years older than Lucy! Consider her the
cougar of the archaeological bar scene. And with her discovery, the
entire evolutionary map of modern day humans and just exactly where we came
from, how we evolved, what we once were, has been totally rewritten.
It is no longer safe to say we share a common ancestor with
chimpanzees. More likely than not, we came from Ardi and whoever (or
whatever) came before her. Her construction is rare, odd, striking: a
bipedal creature with an opposable big toe; an animal that walks
upright on land but acts as a quadruped in its arboreal environment,
Ardi is the corner border in a 5 gazillion trillion piece puzzle that
is the evolutionary road to modern day humans.
We're starting to know where we came from.
Yet the only plausible explanation science can come up with for where the
ugly flop-sweat of a man known as Vicente Padilla came from is this
thing from the Clash of the Titans:
Yep. We've come a long way… just not long enough.
Hate me 'cuz I don't pull punches, just don't hate me 'cuz I'm right.
**Special thanks to Jason Russell for the pic and assist. You can follow him on Twitter at @JasonrussellUT


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Miss D. and I are heading north, to visit Brigid and other bloggers and friends over the weekend. Looks like the snow and ice have moved through up there, so we'll hopefully arrive to find clear roads. It'll be a lot colder than we're used to, but a few
Posting will be light, but I'll try to put something up from time to time. Normal service will resume on Monday.
Have a good weekend, y'all.


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1 - It is legal.
2 - There is a process of request, your child will be registered and be expected to submit to oral or written exams at the local school annually.
3 - It is rare, most people will tell you it is illegal, including the school officials that you talk to until you produce the formal request with the laws attached for their illumination.
4 - It can take some time to go from request to "permission". Be patient. to speed things up request face to face appointments instead of written communication.
5 - You can use a curriculum in the English language, although your child will most likely be tested in Italian.
6- You should be prepared to produce work that your child has completed throughout the year. I will be meeting monthly with the school. Others have reported their only contact is yearly.
7- You are legally required to have completely your schooling two full academic years beyond the level of the children you are currently teaching. This appears to be the "technical capacity" referred to in the laws. Typically you self-declare your capacity without the need to produce certificates however that is not a guarantee that they will not be requested.
8- You have to have the financial capacity necessary. "Necessary" is not defined. Typically you self-certificate without the need for tangible evidence but again there is no guarantee you will not be asked to produce something to support the claim. Although nobody I know of has had to. It is just a technical possibility.
For copies of the letter of request, copies of the laws and a first person account of going through the process a post is available on my blog which is listed in my profile. It looks awful on paper, and I didn't have much fun going through it because the "ohhhh it is illegal and we will have to arrest you" mob made me paranoid, but in retrospect it is just a typical bit of Italian bureaucracy, lots of "in triplicate" bark but no bite.
blog - http://homeschoolinitaly.blogspot.com/
ITALY - Homeschool Law
Find or post information on the legal aspects of homeschooling in your state.
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Shopping in Germany – give in to temptation. Chic shopping districts like Königsallee in Düsseldorf and Kaufingerstraße in Munich are just as alluring as fantastic Outlets and architecturally outstanding shopping centres. You will strike gold wherever you go. In many cities just taking a stroll through the Old Town turns into a shopping spree. Market squares steeped in tradition offer interesting regional specialities, and anyone with a little time for rummaging will be unable to tear themselves away from the many magical little shops off the main shopping routes. Whether typically German produce or international fashion at bargain basement prices: the fulfillment of your greatest and smallest desires is first priority when shopping in Germany.
Get shopping! Discover boundless entertainment. From the trendy to the elite. You will find shopping in Germany simply irresistible.
Its position in the centre of Europe makes Germany easily accessible, wherever you're coming from. Germany also has one of Europe's most highly developed and modern transport infrastructures at its disposal, allowing visitors to get around quickly and hassle-free.
The Euro is legal currency in Germany. One euro is equivalent to 100 cents.
A nationwide network of ATMs at various banks and savings banks enable cash to be withdrawn at your convenience 24/7. In addition, most shops and restaurants accept various electronic payment methods such as Girocard, Mastercard and Visa as well as other current credit cards.
In restaurants and shops the display prices are strictly the asking prices. Tips to the amount of 10% of the prices are common, but not necessary.
Travellers from countries outside the European Union can also benefit from tax-free shopping in many stores throughout Germany. This gives you in-store discounts of up to 19%.
Most shops in Germany are open from Monday to Saturday between 10 am and 8 pm. Smaller shops and boutiques often close earlier at 6.30 pm. On Sundays and holidays all shops are strictly closed. As an exception shops occasionally open on specially designated "shopping Sundays".
There are special exceptions for gas stations and shops in tourist resorts, at railway stations, and airports, which are often open on Sundays and holidays. Certain pharmacies also offer 24-hour service. In many areas bakeries are open on Sunday mornings and sell the bread roles typical of Germany directly from the oven for a pleasant Sunday breakfast.
Dvě užitečné klávesové zkratky k používání lupy v okně prohlížeče:
Zvětšit: +
Zmenšit: +
Další nápovědu si můžete zobrazit v prohlížeči kliknutím na ikonu:


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Raleigh Check CashingRaleigh Check cashing in Raleigh offer quick, convenient and personal solutions for people needing access to their personal finances. Raleigh Check Cashing serve people of all income levels, every day, all across the Triangle Area including Raleigh, Garner, Wendell, Cary, Morrisville, Knightdale, Wake Forest, Apex, Holly Springs, fuquay varina, and surrounding area. In recent years Raleigh Check cashing have evolved in both name and function. In addition to offering the basic service of Check Cashing.
Call Check Cashing of Raleigh Today 919-832-4002Business Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-8pm, Sat 10am-7pm, Closed on Sunday, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
Check Cashing
Raleigh Check Cashing offer quick, convenient and personal solutions for people and businesses needing access to their personal finances.
Bill Payments
Pay your Utility bills, Time Warner Cable, Direc TV, Dish Network, Credit Cards, Auto payment, Mortgage payment, and all of your bills securely and instantly.
Money Transfers
Send cash with Western Union instantly to friends and family, or directly to a bank account, within United States, and all across the world.
Prepaid Phone Cards
We also offer a variety of prepaid phone cards from popular carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Virgin Mobile, TracFone, Boost, page plus and more.
Money Orders
Money Orders are secure payment instruments that offer valuable alternatives to personal checks. Money Orders (Up to $500.00 per check).
Additional Services
Budget Phone Authorized Dealer, Stamps, envelopes, All Prepaid Phonecards, Photocopying, and Faxing services. Raleigh Check Cashing


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Search the Community
Showing results for tags '#Instagram'.
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Where In The World are U2 ?
pain_18_ posted a topic in U2 'Net News & RumoursI created this thread so we can all keep up with U2's activities, feel free to post any photos of the band if you have luckily spotted them or photos of places-cities-things that you think relate to the band or a song of theirs or stuff....Since I don't have an Instagram account nor do I intend to create one, I thought you happy people might like this kind of thread. PS: Photo stolen from U2's official facebook - page !!! Feel free to post anything that crosses your mind, any subject is open to discussion but it would be nice if you would add a U2-realted-photo too (again, not necessarily with the four band-members in it !).... From Edge's Latest Instagram Post, also posted on U2's official fb-page (Credit-THE EDGE) - Edge: Distorted Desert Windmill... -


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UNITAR's new vision of training and capacity-building is based on the conviction that partnerships constitute a master-piece in international, national and local efforts to initiate change.
A strategic partnership can improve synergies for both beneficiaries and contributes to an overall increase in institutional capacity. Investing in people is fundamental to deliver as one, excel in response to training needs, and innovate. Through partnerships with governments, academies, intergovernmental organizations, the private companies, foundations and the civil society, it makes it possible for UNITAR to consolidate and extend its capacity to provide a global platform for knowledge transfer.
To highlight some of our successful partnerships, we have produced partnership brochures with 3 of our strategic partners. Click the brochure image below to download a PDF version.
UNITAR - Veolia Environment
Strategic Partners for Sustainable Local Development
English (PDF, 3.4MB)
|French (PDF, 3.4MB)
Strengthening Multilateral Negotiation Capacities of African Decision Makers
|English (PDF, 5.2MB)
|French (PDF, 5.1MB)
Common Vision and Strategic Partnership on Environment
|English (PDF, 5.4MB)


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Let us manage your Plano rental property
A property management company should do more than just collect rent and schedule repair calls. Learn more about what our Frustration-Free property management services have to offer below. Our award winning service is backed by our 3 point promise.
Our Promise to You
Happy Owner Satisfaction
If, for any reason you feel that Empire managing your property is not for you, cancel the management agreement with no penalties.
12 Month Tenant Placement
Empire will re-lease your property for free if a tenant terminates the lease early. This includes having to evict a resident.
This is only good for leases that are 12 months or longer. Any resident that Empire screens and approves is covered under the 12 month tenant placement. Even if you have a referring agent that leases your property!
Pets in Your Home
Empire Industries will cover any damages caused to the home, above fair wear and tear, resulting from the approved pet(s) that isn't covered by the security deposit will be reimbursed by Empire Industries to the owners. This excludes any service animals per Fair Housing Guidelines.
Any collection efforts under this provision become the sole responsibility of Empire Industries LLC.
Plano Property Management Services Include:
Empire Has a 1% Eviction Rate
Empire Industries is the leader in tenant placement and leasing of your investment property. Empire Industries on average leases properties 20-25 days sooner than the industry average - more cash flow into your pocket sooner and less vacancy time.
Experienced Property Manager
Before you talk to someone from the management company, spend a few minutes looking them up on the Internet.
Do they have a professional website?
Do they have any reviews online?
How quickly do they respond to your phone call or email
Collect Rent
- Collect rent through e-payment ACH transfer
- Collect rent through credit card if tenant does not have necessary funds
- Fully account for all deposits throughout the life of the lease term
- Maintain a separate account for the tenant security deposit as required by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC)
Month End Reporting
- Provide month-end and year-end reporting
- Provide necessary year-end tax forms as required by the IRS
- Direct deposit monthly payments into the owners bank account
Hear from one of our clients
Maintenance and Repair
- Provide a 24 hour emergency phone line for tenants to call
- Ensure all required maintenance is completed based on the Texas Property Code
- Ensure any maintenance requests are responded to by our staff within one business day
- Notify owner of any repair request and when the request has been completed
- Obtain repair bids and notify owners prior to any excessive expenses regarding their property
- Communicate with tenant on any issue in a timely fashion
- Handle any Home Owners Association (HOA) issue with the house or tenant
- Charge residents appropriate fees based upon the lease agreement and addendum's.
Move Out Procedures
- Take over 100 move-out photos and video when a tenant moves out
- Perform the Security Deposit Disposition
- Disburse the tenants security deposit refund based on the Texas Property Code
Eviction Coordination
- Act as a collections department and contact tenants who have not paid rent
- File eviction on any tenant who has not paid rent
- Perform the eviction process based on state law
- Meet constable at property for possession
- Send tenants who owe money to collection agency
- Obtain make ready repair bid and send to owner for approval
- Complete all make readies based on the Texas Property Code
Rental Marketing
- Provide rental market analysis for your property
- Provide 24 hour marketing of your property to prospective tenants using signs, website and texting technology
- Utilize the Centralized Showing Service (CSS) for appointments and feedback from showing agents
- Walk vacant properties weekly to ensure property looks its best
- Provide weekly updates to the owner on all vacancies
Learn what similar homes in your area are renting for in a personalized, detailed report emailed to you in 5 minutes!
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- Provide any ad hoc reporting the owner requests
- Provide investment guidance to investors – including type of home, area of town, rent and sales compse
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We have been investing in Texas real estate since 2001. We understand what it is like to have skin in the game. We offer property management services for investors by investors.
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Plano TX Area Information


text:
SAN JOSE — Forward Marty Havlat has become the first Shark in franchise history to have his contract bought out.
General manager Doug Wilson said last month that Havlat, who never turned into the productive player the Sharks were hoping they were getting in a trade with the Minnesota Wild three years ago, would not be returning next season.
But departure by trade was still a possibility until the team announced Friday that he was leaving as a buyout.
Hampered by injuries as well as the apparent inability to fit into coach Todd McLellan's system, Havlat, 33, finished his San Jose career with 27 goals and 40 assists in 127 games. He played in only one of the Sharks seven playoff games this spring.
Under terms of the 2013 collective bargaining agreement, the Sharks will pick up two-thirds of the $6 million Havlat was to earn in 2014-15, spreading payments over the next two years. That money, however, will not count against the $69 million salary cap announced for next season.
Had Wilson found a trade partner, the Sharks could have eaten up to 50 percent of Havlat's salary — a $1 million savings compared to a buyout — but the $3 million would have counted against the salary cap.
The Sharks sent Dany Heatley to the Wild in exchange for Havlat.


text:
Find a partner abroad for your business
The Network manages Europe's largest online database of business opportunities.
Search for business or academic partners to manufacture, distribute, co-develop and supply your products, ideas and services.
Find a partner in three steps:
- Search our global partnership database based on your criteria
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An Italian SME, specialized in high level quilting and embroideries for the most important high fashion brands, is looking for fabric manufacturers for increasing its business offer, under manufacturing or commercial agreement
An Italian SME, specialized in high level quilting and embroideries for high fashion, is looking for fabric manufacturers, with high/medium level prod... See more
UK book swapping company is looking for a delivery solution under a services agreement
The London-based company is a customer-to-customer digital marketplace for people to swap physical books. The company has already successfully launche... See more
UK manufacture of of blinds, fabrics, tracking, and privacy solutions seeks fabric suppliers, blind component, extrusion or automation suppliers
A UK designer and manufacturer of window, door and curtaining solutions is looking for new suppliers that are able to meet its stringent quality requi... See more
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The UK company is a start-up British brand designing sustainable womenswear for the circular fashion industry. They are looking for a manufacturer for... See more
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An Italian company that produces printed matter for public authorities is leader in national market and is searching partners for joint participation ... See more
Bosnia and Herzegovina company offers distribution of alarms and surveillance systems
The company was founded in 1995, in the municipality of Bijeljina, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is engaged in the installation and s... See more
UK company seeks manufacturers of minoxidil for a range of men's wellness products under manufacturing agreements
A British company has developed a platform offering men's wellness products to members, through a network of pharmacists and doctors (general pra... See more
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London based jewellery designer brand is seeking hollow and gold plated jewellery manufacturer
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UK supplier to healthcare providers seeks innovative infection prevention solutions for distribution
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UK retailer of activities for care homes offers distribution agreements for new activity products
UK company, specialises in providing activities for people with particular/specific needs such as dementia, learning disabilities, and physical impair... See more


text:
Points Credit : 15 points Currently valued at $1.50
This Superfine Sweet Rice Flour is milled from short grain rice. It is a superior thickening agent especially good for recipes to be refrigerated or frozen as it inhibits liquid separation. Also, the flour helps retain moisture by slowing the breakdown of starches. This flour is found in many gluten-free bakery recipes.This flour is great for gravies, sauces and gluten-free baking. Manufactured in a gluten-free environment.Ingredients: Sweet White Rice Flour.Shelf life of 9 to 12 months.NUTRITION FACTSServing Size 1/4 cup (30g)Servings per container 45Calories 110 Calories from fat 1Amount per serving - %DVTotal Fat 0g - 0%Saturated Fat 0g - 0%Trans Fat 0gCholesterol 0mg - 0%Sodium 0mg - 0%Total Carb 25g - 8%Dietary Fiber 1g - 3%Sugars 0gProtein 2gVitamin A 0%Vitamin C 0%Calcium 0%Iron 2%
Kosher Certified by U.S. Kosher Supervision Rabbi Yehudah Bukspan.


text:
Beverly Woods is classic southern suburban subdivsion located in south Charlotte near the thriving SouthPark Mall area..Beverly Woods started in the late 1950's and was built out in the mid 1970's. Lot size is one of the neighborhoods main features ranging in size from 1/4 acre to 1/2 acre. Trees and landscaping are mature providing a well established wooded feel. Homes styles cover the gambit from classic ranch, two story and tri-level homes that were popular in the 1970's.
Beverly Woods supports two elementary schools, Beverly Woods Elementary and Selwyn Elementary. Alexander Graham Middle School and Myers Park High School complete the school assignments.
Map and Points of Interest


text:
Doe Tuck - 9am In Chicago [Unsigned Hype]
Rappin and Ballin: Doe Tuck with "9am in Chicago" 2nd video from mixtape Critical Thinking!
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text:
When an accidental computer command starting wiping animation data from the drive where Toy Story 2's files were kept, a year's worth of work was erased in a matter of seconds.
Under normal circumstances this wouldn't have been an issue; Pixar maintains backups of all its films throughout the production process. But the backups for Toy Story 2 had failed. The movie, it appeared, was gone for good.
Only it wasn't. In this video, Pixar's Oren Jacobs and Galyn Susman recount how a newborn baby saved Toy Story 2 from being lost forever. [Spotted on boingboing]


text:
АЫЛі ЙцЙ§
БтКЛ АЫЛі
АЁЛч СІИёАњ РЯФЁ (ГЏТЅМј)
АЁМі РЬИЇАњ РЯФЁ (ГЏТЅМј)
РќУМ ЛчРЬЦЎ АЫЛі (АЁЛчГЛПыЦїЧд)
АЫЛіОю УпУЕ ЛчПы
Thuggin' It Out
Do Or Die
АќЗУ ЕППЕЛѓ КИБт
АќЗУ ЕППЕЛѓ ОШ КИБт
*featuring Outlawz
Outlaw nigga
Do or Die nigga
Ride or die nigga
Let's get high nigga
[Young Noble - Outlawz]
Yo, I know niggas that kill
Niggas that dump pills
Niggas that ill
Niggas that don't feel
No remorse like mil for a bitch like you
I'm a Outlaw
What the fuck you thought I would do?
Elaine told me
Never let a fiend hold me
These streets is like hockey
And Kadafi the goalie
Know me
I'm too holy
You too phony
And too bony Tiger
Step in with two Tony's
With two chrome heats
Aimed at your dome-piece
It's all til we deceased
As long as we agree
It ain't a war
If there ain't no blood
You ain't an Outlaw
If you ain't no thug
Middle fingers up
Wave 'em from side to side
Ride or die Do or Die
Outlaw for life
Middle fingers up
Wave 'em from side to side
Ride or die Do or Die
Outlaw for life
Thug it out.
[N.A.R.D. - Do or Die]
It's a ship it up yo flip
You see them dogs in me
Automatic static
Outlaws call on me
You see the balls on me
I'm gonna let 'em swang
Without them thangs
So if them cops rush them lanes
Put their names up the wall
Exactly where you left the green stacks
Money from the refs
Like you stackin' from that caine
If it's bullshit we'll set it off
If it's a full clip I'm gonna let it off
From L.A. to Chi-town
From Jersey to the black grounds
We'll shut this whole bitch down
[Chorus: Young Noble]
Who wanna bomb first?
Then the rest gonna follow
We livin' for today
We might not make it to tomarrow
Bore in your heart
Or insides hollow
If you wit me take a swallow
We drink from the same bottle
We share the same pain
This ain't a fair game
From your hood to my hood
It's never gonna change
So we thuggin it out
Keep, keep, keep thuggin it out
Young niggas say
We keep thuggin it out
Keep, keep, keep thuggin it out
Come on, come on
[AK - Do or Die]
When my demons attack
You'll be hit in your back
I'm bringin' a black
Up in my lap
All off up in the strap
When y'all thuggin we on
If y'all fuck till we gone
I'll pull out and bust til they gone
Get 'em out and fire
'Cause can't no cop catch me
They after these?
Now I'll fuck the niggas with the cheese
Well I'm gonna catch 'em while they sleepin
Put 'em up off in the deep end
A nigga already leavin
I'll run but we can be peace-in
Or listen til I do ya
Hold my ruger
I'll make your death date a little sooner
[Belo Zero - Do or Die]
I'm gonna tell you bitches on the wall
You fuckin' with individuals
Nutty motherfuckers
Straight from the ghetto motherfuckers
Smellin' blood like a savage beast
Tear you to pieces
While my mental increases
I'll break you off like Reese's Pieces
You been fuckin' with killas
If Belo Zero put one in your pillar
They gonna get blow
And count your filler
It's time for new
Flew or Do or Die I'm thugged out
Outlaw go get the mall
And we gonna clear 'em all out
[E.D.I. - Outlawz]
The final impose to danger
Seconds away from destiny
Payback motherfucker
Now hear the recipe
E.D. Bin laden
I been ridin
Total domination is my goal
I want your souls
And more
Hear me
Here we go
Outlawz screamin' out your stereo
Grade imperial thugs
Hear me clearly
We turnin' shit up
The rap game
We bout to burn shit up
Heatin' it up
We seek and destruct
Put your whole fuckin camper to sleep
For the love of Makaveli
There ain't no changin' me
Until they choose
To use tools
To come and get me
I wait for 'em
Pray for 'em
And when I see the white of his eyes
I aim for 'em
I ain't stolen
The pains callin'
So I gotta answer to it
The only way to be free
Is to be free
Now here's my chance to do it
Thuggin' It Out
Do Or Die
СЄШЎЧб АЁМі,СІИёРЬ ЧЪПфЧв Мі РжНРДЯДй.
*Do Or Die ДйИЅ АЁЛч
АЁМі:Do Or Die
АЁМі:Do Or Die
That's My Car
АЁМі:Do Or Die
Tailz feat. Bushwick Bill
АЁМі:Do Or Die
АЁМі:Do Or Die
Stay Focused
АЁМі:Do Or Die
АЁМі:Do Or Die
Sex Appeal, Featuring Twista, Johnny P.
АЁМі:Do Or Die
Sex Appeal
АЁМі:Do Or Die
АЁМі:Do Or Die
Paid The Price
АЁМі:Do Or Die
One More Way To Die
АЁМі:Do Or Die
One More Way 2 Die
АЁМі:Do Or Die
Not 4 U
АЁМі:Do Or Die
Murders, Pimps +Thugs
АЁМі:Do Or Die
Menage A Trois
АЁМі:Do Or Die
Magic Chick
АЁМі:Do Or Die
Lil Ghetto Boy
АЁМі:Do Or Die
Lil' Ghetto Boy
АЁМі:Do Or Die
La La La
АЁМі:Do Or Die
РЮБт АЁЛч TOP 100
ПЌЕЕКА РЮБт АЁЛч
ЖѓЕ№ПР ЙцМл ЕшБт
Copyright ЈЯ ССРК АЁЛч АЫЛі, 2020 (АЁПф,ЦЫМл АЁЛчАЫЛі)


text:
Handheld Group, a Swedish manufacturer of rugged devices such as notebook computers, has announced the launch of what it claims is the "toughest smart phone ever built." The Nautiz X1 follows in the tradition of Handheld's line of fully ruggedized mobile computers with and IP67 ingress protection rating against dust, sand and full immersion in water, as well as full MIL-STD-810G compliance for humidity, vibration, drops and extreme temperatures.
The one thing that should set the Nautiz X1 apart from other rugged smart phones is how small and light it is. Where other rugged phones tend to be thicker and heavier, the X1 weighs only 6.3 ounces and measures 4.9 inches high by 2.6 inches wide and is only 0.6 inches thick. It has a 4-inch capacitive touchscreen display, which is apparently just as sturdy as the rest of it.
As the demand for rugged smartphones continues to increase, the Nautiz X1 could find use in anything from public transit to forestry to military applications. It is scheduled to be made available in January of 2013 at a list price of $899.
About the Author
Greg Crowe is a former GCN staff writer who covered mobile technology.
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text:
Meet the author: James Lasdun
From his first story collection, "Delirium Eclipse," to his most recent novel, "Seven Lies," James Lasdun's fiction often has dealt with the unsettling surprises life sends our way. Imagining such twists in no way prepared the writer for the ordeal he describes in "Give Me Everything You Have: On Being Stalked" (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $25). The book chronicles the scary evolution of one of Lasdun's former writing students, a woman he calls Nasreen, from a friendly email correspondent discussing her novel-in-progress into an enraged cyberstalker spewing anti-Semitic venom and accusations of creative theft in Amazon reviews and other Internet venues. On a visit to New York City from his home upstate, Lasdun discussed the unnerving impact of being assaulted online.
Publishing a book about this woman's behavior carries the risk of provoking further aggression. Why do it?
I felt I had to defend myself against these public attacks that were occurring on the Internet and in emails to people I knew, including prospective employers. It's such a weird, complicated story, and I discovered in telling it to people that the convolutions made them think I was crazy. I felt I had to get a document that laid it all out.
In the emails you reproduce in the book, she seems to become someone completely different from the person you knew in class. Were you stunned?
I was stunned and mortified, because I thought I could judge a person, and I turned out to have been spectacularly wrong. I suppose there must have been elements of what she became after she turned on me, but either she did an extremely good job of disguising who she really was in class, or she changed. I saw her writing; it was intelligent and sensitive. This anti-Semitic stuff in her emails just blew my mind; she'd never given any indication of that at all. I've never encountered anyone who changed like that, so it's really a mystery.
She escalated from emails to a nasty Amazon "review" of your novel "Seven Lies" and a hostile comment on one of your book reviews in the Guardian. Are public figures like writers especially vulnerable online?
The Internet is this whole new universe, a completely unpoliced wilderness where anybody can say anything about anyone. Everybody knows it, but that's not enough to protect people. My guess is that Amazon finally took down her review because she'd posted others on the sites of the novelists she accused of selling her work to, so they got complaints from several people. But Amazon isn't policing it, and neither is your publisher or agent; you've got to look out for yourself. What are you going to do? Spend your life Googling yourself? It's insane!
You used to be able to write book reviews, as I do for the Guardian, and maybe someone would write a letter to the editor, but that was the end of it; you wouldn't get 50 comments in a public section. That is a platform for malice, and I've heard stories of well-known writers who have stopped blogging because they don't like getting hate mail. But does that mean you should abolish comments sections? I don't think censorship of any kind is good, but I do think big institutions like newspapers should employ someone to watch out for that sort of thing. It's devastating to be attacked like that, because even if it's one nasty little person doing it, you immediately multiply that antagonism into a whole world of people who think you're worthless.
Is that the impact it had on you?
The main problem for me was that it took over my mind. Everything I wrote started to be about Nasreen; it became very difficult to think about anything else. The internal freedom you need to write fiction was just not accessible. So this book began as an act of self-defense, but then I got interested in exploring other subjects that seemed connected to it, like anti-Semitism and the question of reputation, and to use my experiences with Nasreen as a unifying theme.
Now I feel freed up in many ways. It's not like the situation is resolved, but I feel that even if it starts up again it's not going to affect me in quite the same way, because I've got the book now. I feel I'm ready to move on to other things.


text: i've been keeping a close eye on Tracy Wilkinson's blog 149 Sullivan Street, as she has been teasing us with sneak peeks of her new site for TW Workshop – which i'm happy to see launched this past week. Tracy is a British designer who has a masters degree in fashion & textile design from the royal college of art in london, and now lives stateside where she handmakes ceramics and home accessories (amongst other creative endeavours). be sure to visit her shop.


text:
The nearest major airport is Sloulin Field International Airport (ISN / KISN). This airport has domestic flights and is 7 miles from the center of Williston, ND.
Another major airport is Sidney-Richland Municipal Airport (SDY / KSDY), which has domestic flights from Sidney, Montana and is 50 miles from Williston, ND.
Search for direct flights from your hometown and find hotels near Williston, ND, or scroll down for more international airports or domestic airports. You can also browse local airports if you're a pilot.
191 miles: Regina, Canada (YQR / CYQR) Regina International Airport
7 miles: Williston, ND (ISN / KISN) Sloulin Field International Airport
50 miles: Sidney, MT (SDY / KSDY) Sidney-Richland Municipal Airport
97 miles: Wolf Point, MT (OLF / KOLF) L. M. Clayton Airport
112 miles: Glendive, MT (GDV / KGDV) Dawson Community Airport
129 miles: Minot, ND (MOT / KMOT) Minot International Airport
134 miles: Dickinson, ND (DIK / KDIK) Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport
148 miles: Glasgow, MT (GGW / KGGW) Wokal Field/Glasgow International Airport
46 miles: Culbertson, MT (FVN) Big Sky Field
Travelmath helps you find the closest airport to any city, as well as a list of smaller local airports. You can use these pages to plan your trip and figure out the easiest way to get to your destination. Many times there are multiple airports near the city you want to visit, so you can often find a cheaper flight into a different airport. This is especially useful if you are getting a rental car, since it might be better to drive a bit farther in order to save money on airfare. If you're booking an international flight, you probably want the closest major airport, otherwise if you're a pilot you may be looking for a local airport. Use this tool along with the flight distance pages to plan your travel.


text:
Gaming in Higher Education: EDUCAUSE 2013 welcomes Jane McGonigal
The Awesome Power of Gaming in Higher Education
EDUCAUSE 2013 welcomes Jane McGonigal and considers the potential of games in education.
1. Foldit
The University of Washington's Foldit game enables anyone to contribute to scientific research through virtual protein folding. The university's game developers posit that human gamers' propensity to not give up on a gaming task – resiliency – make them much more adept at solving complex protein structure prediction and design than supercomputers. And in some ways, they've already proven that to be so. Foldit game participants have been named in several published scientific journal articles, including one that describes how a protein structure could be solved and used in the treatment of HIV.
2. Urgent Evoke
The rich, interactive universe of Grand Theft Auto was the inspiration for this game, developed for The World Bank as a way to teach Sub-Sahara African youths to solve social problems in ways that also could provide a sustainable living. The platform is free and available online and can be used by schools to teach social entrepreneurship. A graphic novel serves as the game's centerpiece, and players build out their gaming profiles as a comic or graphic novel might retell a superhero's origin story. Participants complete projects in real life to solve real problems, such as securing a community's food supply or establishing a sustainable power source, then progress through levels of the game. Those who successfully complete their 10-week missions ultimately earn certification from the World Bank Institute. In 2010, 50 student participants saw their entrepreneurship models funded by the World Bank, including Libraries Across Africa (now Librii), a franchise operating in Ghana.
3. Find the Future: The Game
Not all games must be played out in a virtual space. This game – developed by McGonigal with Natron Baxter and Playmatics – combines real-world missions with virtual clues and online collaboration, resulting in young people working together overnight in the New York Public Library to write and publish a book of personal essays about what they learned.
"The game is designed to empower young people to find their own futures by bringing them face-to-face with the writings and objects of people who made an extraordinary difference."
Participants spend a night wandering throughout the library's stacks and research materials, scanning QR codes to prove they found and interacted with the objects of their clues or missions. One 2011 participant, upon discovering the library's early draft of the Declaration of Independence wrote an essay called a "Declaration of Interdependence."
More on Jane McGonigal on YouTube: